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Mark Cuban, Rick Carlisle Fined by NBA

Mark Cuban the animated billionaire investor and owner of the championship winning Dallas Mavericks was fined by the NBA for comments he made following a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Cuban, who was hit with a $75,000 fine, was upset about a series of apparent no-calls late in the game last Wednesday which Cuban felt was the cause for the Mavs 95-86 loss.

Cuban who has never been shy about some officials performance during certain games took charge to address what he feels is a serious issue.

"Look, I haven't said a whole lot about the officiating in a long, long time, but I haven't seen it this bad in a long, long time," Cuban told ESPNDallas.com after the loss.

"Guys miss calls; that's part of the game. You're not always going to have a great crew. Officials have got to learn that's part of the game."

Cuban was addressing referees that have been in the league for many years and are respected by players and coaches alike.

"But these were officials that have been part of the league for years, and it was just off-the-charts bad. And if no one ever says anything, nothing ever happens."

Cuban was not the only one to be hit with a fine. Head Coach Rick Carlisle was also docked $35,000 after he was ejected in the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical.

The second technical came after he kicked the basketball into the stands, in a show of frustration, which actually ended up hitting a young spectator who was sitting a few rows back from the floor.

After the game Carlisle offered his words of regret, "I think it's fair," speaking of his fine."If you're responsible for a ball going into the stands, you're subject to a fine. I accept it and regret that situation happening, even though it was accidental and have got to move forward."